Well, he is kinda stiff. Getting to the basket takes skill/ability. I don’t think it’s right to just assume he could get there if he wanted. But there’s no doubt in my mind that the biggest thing preventing him from getting there is his love of mid range. He really does remind me of the wing version of Ayton.
Utah Jazz Select Ace Bailey, Pick 5
- Thread starter Jason
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Well, he is kinda stiff. Getting to the basket takes skill/ability. I don’t think it’s right to just assume he could get there if he wanted. But there’s no doubt in my mind that the biggest thing preventing him from getting there is his love of mid range. He really does remind me of the wing version of Ayton.
From CBS Sports -- https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/...-flagg-ace-bailey-all-first-round-selections/
I give this an enthusiastic "A." His upside is significant. He didn't work out for them but Utah was not going to get bullied by Bailey's representation. They took the best prospect on the board. I believe he's a top three prospect in the draft. He's a jumbo wing, high-level athlete and tough shot-maker. If everything clicks, he could have the highest upside in the draft. Ace Bailey is going to have an opportunity to have an immediate impact. I think in the long run this can work out very, very well for the Jazz. Grade: A
I give this an enthusiastic "A." His upside is significant. He didn't work out for them but Utah was not going to get bullied by Bailey's representation. They took the best prospect on the board. I believe he's a top three prospect in the draft. He's a jumbo wing, high-level athlete and tough shot-maker. If everything clicks, he could have the highest upside in the draft. Ace Bailey is going to have an opportunity to have an immediate impact. I think in the long run this can work out very, very well for the Jazz. Grade: A
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From SI:
5. Utah Jazz: Ace Bailey, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Grade: A
After plenty of headlines about Bailey’s unorthodox predraft process, the Rutgers product lands at No. 5 in Utah. Bailey’s camp reportedly attempted to position him to land with a team like Washington or Brooklyn, but instead, the Jazz took the dive on a clear top-three talent in this draft despite not getting the chance to work him out prior to draft day. It’s a clear win for Utah to land Bailey after falling on lottery night to No. 5 despite his decision-making warts that have sometimes plagued him throughout his young career. Even if this is a boom-or-bust pick, it’s a risk the Jazz needed to take.
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Basketball Novice
Well-Known Member
Loving the midrange isn't necessarily a bad thing, he is great at shooting midrange shots. While it's not the most efficient shot, the midrange is great to have in the playoffs, where getting buckets is tougher and defenses are tighter. Ace is one of the few guys who can be an elite midrange guy in the league and make it a big part of his game. I have also seen him gradually getting better at being physical, backing down guys to get easier shots near the basket. He will have to continue to get better at this and other ways to get to the basket but I think he got better as the year went on. Will need to look up the data on this to confirm this for myself.
baka98
Well-Known Member
It is a bad thing and is especially a bad thing for Ace IMO. It very much prevents him from getting good opportunities for himself and his teammates. There is a time and place to shoot tough shots, but his affinity for shooting them is way too much.
I don't fully disagree with the playoff angle, but I'd counter by saying that when getting buckets and defense is tighter....the ability to produce good shots is even more important.
Basketball Novice
Well-Known Member
I don't think anyone will disagree that Ace's shot distribution needs to be adjusted to allow him to score more efficient buckets but on the other hand, I do not want to rip out the midrange part of his game. I believe that is swinging too far in the other direction. I think we agree for the most part. I guess the question is, how far do we want to go with changing Ace's shot tendencies. I'm curious as to how Hardy and the coaching staff will approach this.
I definitely think we should allow him to use his faceup game, and if it leads to some tough middies that's ok. But his decision tree is basically "if I can get the shot off, I take it". He's so talented he can always get to that shot and he will always take it. If we can get it in his head to at least try to attack to hoop and not settle it can work. Also, he should really just shoot more 3's of all kinds. He's a good movement shooter and he's got to be an all time leader in OTD shots 1 foot in front of the line.
